Over time, the threats and impacts to tropical forests have become more complex and dynamic. Efforts to protect, manage and understand the functioning of the tropical ecosystems have traditionally been the realm of biologists, ecologists, foresters, students and resource managers. However, it has become increasingly evident that the challenges of concervation can only be effectively resolved if all actors whose decisions and actions shape tropical landscapes are also engaged. Most importantly relevant stakeholders need to be adequately equipped with the knowledge and skills. The curriculum of HIES is built on teaching provided by Universities in Cameroon and partner universities such as